Direction-Based Mode Switching for Wireless Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices lack a method to control mode transitions based on proper timing, leading to inefficient power consumption and user inconvenience due to unnecessary mode changes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device that wirelessly communicates with an information processing device and includes a direction information acquisition unit and a processing unit to transition between power-saving and higher power modes based on direction information, optimizing power consumption and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic device transitions between modes using sensor-based detection, then the device can respond to user presence, but the mode transition timing is not optimal leading to unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary detection of the information processing device's approach using wireless communication signals before the user actually interacts with the device. By detecting the presence and direction of the information processing device in advance, the electronic device can prepare for mode transition, ensuring optimal timing that balances power savings with user convenience. This preliminary action allows the device to transition modes proactively rather than reactively.
2Ease of operation
If the electronic device maintains higher power mode continuously, then user convenience is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device dynamically adjusts its operating mode based on real-time detection of the information processing device's direction and presence. Instead of maintaining a static high-power mode, the system continuously monitors wireless communication signals to determine when the information processing device is approaching from a direction that would benefit from higher performance. This dynamic adjustment ensures the device operates in high-power mode only when necessary for user convenience, reducing overall power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic device uses direction information for mode control, then power consumption is optimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device leverages the wireless communication unit, which already exists for basic communication purposes, to perform dual functions: standard data transmission and direction information detection. By utilizing the same hardware infrastructure for multiple purposes, the system achieves optimized power consumption through direction-based mode control without adding significant complexity. The existing wireless communication signals are repurposed to carry directional information, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device wirelessly communicates with an information processing device via a wireless communication unit and can operate at least in a first mode and in a second mode that is a state where power consumption is higher than in the first mode. The electronic device includes a direction information acquisition unit and a processor. The direction information acquisition unit acquires direction information about a direction of the information processing device in relation to a reference location of the electronic device by the wireless communication with the information processing device via the wireless communication unit. The processor performs at least one of a transition from the first mode to the second mode and a transition from the second mode to the first mode, based on the direction information.